The beginning of every banquet like this was always boring …
Mr. Dong summarized the various things that happened in Jiangning this year and some expectations for the coming year. Every year, he would say that the situation this year was starting to be special. At this time, he even vaguely said a lot of things. In fact, many people who were sitting here today probably knew more than Mr. Dong about the real situation of the weaving industry in Jiangning.
"Crab dinner tonight …" As a witness and participant of tonight's event, Wang Wenzhuo of the Wang family murmured in a low voice. There was already a faint aroma coming from downstairs. Then, he turned his head and talked to a steward beside him, "What do you think about tonight's event?"
The steward of the Wang family whispered, "Of course, I still hope that the Su family can win, and it doesn't seem to be a big problem."
"The Wu Family and the Xue family are not easy to deal with either. Look over there, those two families don't seem to be very nervous. As for the Su family … To be honest, Ning Liheng makes me feel a little discouraged …"
The Wang family was considered a medium-sized business in Jiangning, and they had always had a good relationship with the Su family. At this time, they naturally hoped that the Su family could get the imperial merchant, which would definitely benefit them. But at this time, Wang Wenzhuo looked at Ning Yi and felt that this was the only thing that seemed to be unreliable. The steward of the Wang family smiled, "He's just a scholar, there's no need to care about him. We know that the second daughter of the Su family is still in charge, so that's enough. Tonight, the Su family is fully prepared. Now, there should be no problem."
"As long as the Xue family doesn't do anything, I can rest assured …"
The relationship between the Xue family and the Xue family wasn't good, so the Wang family didn't have a good impression of the Xue family. When Su Boyong was assassinated a month ago, many people in the circle thought that the Xue family did it. Of course, once this kind of thing was confirmed to be very serious, no one would say it out loud.
In the whispers, Mr. Dong's speech was getting close to the main topic. Everyone quieted down and waited for the most important event of the night to begin in the music and aroma of the dishes.
*****
"… Today, I would like to invite everyone to appreciate the snow-patterned yarn that our Qi family has recently weaved. The silk thread used to weave this yarn is not easy. After it is finished, it is light, thin, and flexible. Please take a look, this yarn is almost transparent, and the natural veins on it are as white as snow. We use a special loom to control the number of silk threads …"
Night had not yet fallen, and everyone had already taken their seats in the Green Yi Pavilion. Among the many seats, the head of a weaver family was spreading out a roll of gauze in the center of the place. Fruits, snacks, and other delicacies were all placed on the surrounding round tables. After he finished speaking, many weavers and officials discussed for a while. After that, Lord He Fang stood up and announced with a smile that if anyone was interested, they could come forward and appraise the gauze. Hence, people from each table went to the center to take a closer look at the quality of the gauze, and conversed with the head of the Qi Family.
Tonight's gathering was about the Suibian cloth, the royal merchants, and the status of the weavers in Jiangning. Of course, all kinds of exchanges would not be limited to the competition for the royal merchants. Those who were confident in their products would show their faces, and perhaps some of the weavers would come forward to discuss cooperation or other matters. At this time, the exhibition had just begun. After the head of the Qi Family finished speaking, there would basically be people who would go over to take a look with a smile. Some people would sit around and chat.
"This gauze is not bad …"
"The Wu Family already had the method to separate the threads a few years ago …"
"However, the Wu Family's production of the cloth is not high."
"This Qi Family is worth making friends with …"
Of course, it was not the time to discuss in detail at this time. However, those who were interested had already gone up to take a look at the quality of the cloth. After that, there would be a night for them to slowly consider and discuss. Even those who were not interested, such as the Su family, the Wu Family, and the Xue family, would go over to appraise the cloth and say a few good words. As soon as the event began, the atmosphere became lively.
After the Qi Family, Official He also began to ask another family to come out and talk about the past year's events. Everyone listened carefully. Some merchants might also reveal some information at such gatherings, which might be a wind vane for the coming year. After that, this family did not take out any new cloth. Then the next family …
After this process began, everyone became a little more serious. Their attention to the royal merchants was temporarily less focused. They focused on the things in front of them and discussed things that were beneficial to them. The Wang Family also had their eyes on a piece of cloth. Wang Wenzhuo discussed with the shopkeeper next to him and decided to go over to the banquet later to find out what was going on.
There were a total of about 20 merchants participating in this gathering. Every household would definitely have something to say, but not necessarily all of them would take out something. It was all voluntary. When the gathering was halfway through, Official He said, "… Let's invite the Lu Family to come out and talk about some of the things that have happened in the past year." During the banquet, the whispers caused by the cloth display gradually stopped. Everyone waited quietly for the Lu Family's cloth display.
Then, the Lu Family Head came out and concluded a brief summary. The person next to him brought over a brocade box. He smiled and patted it. "… In the past, my Lu Family's smoked tea silk has been taken care of by everyone. Recently, we have used the idea of smoked tea silk. Now we have made a new cloth. It has not been named yet, so let's take it out for everyone to evaluate.
Please give us your comments … "He opened the box and asked the servant to show a black cloth in front of everyone. The crowd exclaimed. Wang Wenzhuo also opened his mouth and looked at it. Then, almost at the same time as the family steward, he looked to the side and casually observed the reactions of some of the surrounding merchants. The most important ones were the Su family, the Xue family, and the Wu Family. The Lu Family's smoked tea silk was originally a famous cloth in Jiangning. At this gathering, it was also likely to threaten the three highest-ranking families. After a while, he retracted his gaze and smiled at the steward.
"It seems that all three families have a trump card. It doesn't matter to the Lu Family."
"That's how it should be."
"But this black cloth is really good. I'll go up and have a look."
Wang Wenzhuo said as he stood up. In fact, among the merchants, many people were also observing the expressions of the Wu Family, the Xue family, and the Su family. The Wu Family had always been smiling gracefully. After every family came out, they would chat with them gracefully and then go up to ask some questions. This had not changed at all. The Xue family also appeared to be full of confidence. The Su family was similar. Ning Yi, the number one talent who temporarily replaced the first branch, had his right hand pressed on the lid of the brocade box on the table. His fingers were tapping leisurely. A quiet and confident feeling arose spontaneously. At this time, Manager Liao did not talk to him. Instead, he smiled and said a few words to the shopkeeper beside him. Then, he stood up and walked forward. Su Zhongkan also walked forward.
The Lu Family's cloth could not shake the positions of the three families. But in Jiangning, it was already a very good cloth. For a time, it set off a small climax in the gathering. At this time, Wu Chenghou of the Wu Family had also come out. He talked with Su Zhongkan about the cloth for a while and gave a very high evaluation. After the free time was over, the black cloth was also displayed at the front of the floor so that everyone could see it during the whole process of the banquet.
When the next family came out, the discussion did not stop. Then, the discussion subsided a little. When people entered the other shops, the lingering charm of the black cloth of the Lu Family did not disappear. After several families had shown up, when He Fang came out and said the name of the Xue family "Da Chuan Cloth Store", the atmosphere in the banquet hall was suddenly cut off. This night, the moment that almost everyone had predicted finally came.
At the round table, Ning Yi's fingers stopped tapping. Manager Liao and others took their seats. Xue Yan smiled at them and came forward with a wooden box. He began to talk about the good things that the Xue family had done in the past year. The hall on the second floor was quiet. Everyone was paying attention to what the Xue family was going to take out and the attitude of the Su family. When the Xue family finally showed a purple and noble new cloth, almost the atmosphere in the whole space stagnated for more than ten seconds. People quietly waited for the reaction of others. Most of them looked at the Su family. Even the people of the Xue family were paying attention to the Su family. After watching for a while, the shopkeepers of the Su family also exchanged some looks with each other.
One second, two seconds … Finally, Manager Liao looked around, tidied his robe, stood up with a smile, and was ready to go forward to have a look. When he took a step forward, Ning Yi frowned, put down his fingers again, and leaned back on the chair. Soon after, he heard the commotion and the whispers around him. Everyone got up and walked forward one after another.
"No reaction from the Su family?"
"What happened?"
"Doesn't the Xue family have a backup plan?"
"The Su family has been preparing for several years. It doesn't make much sense to assassinate Su Boyong. Su Tan'er hasn't fallen yet …"
"This time, the Su family's desperate gamble has paid off …"
"I'm afraid that the Su family will be the last one …"
"It's hard to say for the Wu Family. But if the Wu Family wants to, according to the previous situation, the Wu Family should be the last one …"
"Good preparation, this is what it means to have good preparation …"
"Now, Su Yu should be relieved to hand over the family to his granddaughter …"
Among all kinds of whispers, people also walked forward with a smile. As one of the three largest weaving families in Jiangning, although people were shocked at this time, they still gave it face. The scene suddenly became lively. Of course, in such a lively atmosphere, everyone had their own feelings. Although it was lively, when the Xue family put the purple cloth in front, Xue Yan walked back to his seat without any expression. Then he turned his head and whispered to his younger brother.
"I'm thinking that Su Tan'er may really win the imperial business tonight …"
"Just now, Su Zhongkan and Su Yunfang's face became a little strange, hehe …"
At this time, the banquet was still in a huge confusion and discussion. He Fang stood up and waved his hand, but he couldn't suppress it too much. As usual, he asked for the next family to come out. Wu Chenghou smiled and stood up from his seat, then brought a brocade box to the front. The crowd was slightly stunned, but Wu Chenghou already smiled and spoke.
The back was a little quiet. Wang Wenzhuo glanced at Wu Chenghou and frowned, "Why is the Wu Family after the Xue family?"
"Yes …" Steward Wang nodded, also puzzled. Then he turned his head and continued the conversation just now, "In any case, as long as the Su family wins the imperial business this time, their hearts will be settled. If Su Tan'er can't take over the family business, the consequences will be unpredictable …"
"I'm ready after today …"
They hurriedly said what they were just talking about. Wu Chenghou's words were a little dry, but most people still listened to it, and the doubts in their hearts were not reduced. On the side, the brothers of the Xue family frowned and whispered, "Oh, I've been thinking whether the Su family thought too much about the assassination of Su Boyong …"
"The reaction is very intense, but it's no wonder. I just hope that they will make some mistakes in the end …"
"Until now, I still don't really believe that they can really make a cloth that can overwhelm everyone. They've really publicized it well …"
"With Su Tan'er sick, those shopkeepers can only do this. In any case, at the last moment, they will … Wow."
Before Xue Jin could finish this sentence, his gaze that was looking forward suddenly froze. Even though everyone was chatting, they were also listening to Wu Chenghou's words. At this time, a golden brocade suddenly unfolded in front of everyone. What Wu Chenghou said didn't mean anything, but at this time, it was also very casual. It was just that after the golden brocade unfolded for a moment, it suddenly attracted everyone's attention.
Xue Jin and Xue Yan were stunned for a long time. Wang Wenzhuo, who was talking to the steward beside him, also couldn't help but straighten his body and stretch his neck. Xue Yan looked for a long time, and probably forgot about the topic of multitasking and his younger brother. Then he sighed and said, "The Wu Family is really … a dog that bites doesn't bark …"
"The Wu Family has also taken out their trump card …"
"This cloth … Something's wrong …" Xue Yan suddenly realized something and looked to the side!
Beside Wu Chenghou in front, the golden cloth unfolded, and in the box, there were also silk threads that were also dyed gold as raw materials. The color was bright and dazzling, exceptionally gorgeous. Wu Chenghou was still speaking, "This golden brocade is dyed and made by my Wu Family with a special cloth dyeing formula. The weaving process is handled by the Luo God Needle, therefore …"
He paused slightly and stopped his introduction with a smile. In the hall that had quieted down, a figure in a green robe had already crossed a few tables. It was Ning Yi, who had stood up at some point, looking at the golden brocade beside Wu Chenghou. At this moment, everyone was still sitting, but he slowly walked closer. Then, he paused for a moment, and everyone in the venue turned to look at him. He Fang thought for a moment and then stood up slightly. "Nephew Ning, at this time, the Wu Family has not finished speaking, and it is not yet time to come forward. Would you please return to the table first?" In the past, everyone had called him nephew or something like that, and their relationship seemed to be good. At this time, He Fang's tone was also friendly.
However, there was no response.
In silence, everyone's eyes began to move back and forth between Ning Yi and the Wu Family. Some people gradually thought of something, and then some more …
"Something's not right …"
"What's wrong …"
"Something's wrong, something's wrong …"
"The Wu Family …"
"There's something wrong with the Su Family …"
Some things suddenly swept up like a snowball. However, for a moment, it seemed that it was only some kind of change in the atmosphere. No one talked about it, but the look in each other's eyes became more and more complicated. The atmosphere became restless, and it seemed that words were about to be spoken. Manager Liao had already walked over at this time, trying to ask Ning Yi to go back. In front of him, Wu Chenghou also looked at Ning Yi for a long time. He had been smiling with some confusion, and then he said with a "heh."
"Uh, it's okay. If nephew Ning wants to come and take a look, you can come and take a look. It's okay, it's okay. Speaking of which, I talked with nephew Ning about something a few days ago. The family also brought out a new cloth. If nephew Ning is in the mood for poetry, he would like to ask nephew Ning to compose a poem for it. It doesn't have to be too good, it's just to borrow nephew Ning's reputation. In short, the cloth has been brought out, so there is no need to introduce it further. The weaver of the Luo God Needle must be worth praising. Come, come, come. Everyone, don't be polite. Please give me some pointers. Hehe, I won't say much … "
Several stewards close to the Wu Family stood up, but for a moment, not many people spoke. Some inaudible whispers passed through the crowd.
"Something happened …"
Wang Wenzhuo frowned, then reached out and rubbed his eyes. His gaze was complicated.
"It's … the Wu Family?" Xue Yan leaned against the back of his chair in disbelief. Then, he laughed with the same complicated expression. "Heh."
Ning Yi and Manager Li Ao were in everyone's sight. Manager Li Ao said something, but Ning Yi frowned and said nothing. He just looked at Wu Chenghou, then looked at the two brothers, Wu Qilong and Wu Qihao, who were walking over with a smile. Sometimes, he didn't know where his eyes were looking. Only for a moment, he seemed to grit his teeth and wanted to move forward, but Manager Li Ao grabbed his shoulder.
In the next moment, the entire hall seemed to be cut into two parts by something. One part was pale, and the other was noisy. Ning Yi finally returned to his seat and sat down. He just looked at the center of the hall. His gaze was complicated, and no one knew what he was thinking. Of course, in fact, all businessmen might have seen that kind of gaze before. It was the gaze of some people who threw themselves into the business world and then were suddenly swallowed up by the darkness of the business world. It was complicated and indescribable. Many people had already guessed something. Even if they couldn't confirm their guesses, they had more or less felt the atmosphere.
Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz …
The Wu Family returned to their seats. The golden brocade was placed in front of them, but the feeling of division did not leave. Regardless of the pale and noisy scene, the feeling of fast-forward did not disappear. Everyone was waiting for the final conclusion of something. They looked at the Wu Family, who were still smiling. They looked at Ning Yi, who was silent in the Su Family's seats. They looked at the shopkeepers who were whispering to each other but still remained calm. The Xue family had also guessed a lot of things. Xue Sheng frowned and sighed to his two sons.
"A dog that really bites doesn't bark. This is the power of the Wu Family. Without making a sound, looking at everyone making a ruckus, it quietly manipulates the clouds with a flip of its hand and the rain with a flip of its hand … Ah, the Su Family has made such a big fuss during this period of time. It's useless. This move is really too ruthless. The situation of the Jiangning weaving industry will no longer exist. After the Su Family is finished, they should learn a lesson … Alas … "
In the past, the relationship between the Xue family and the Su family was not harmonious. But at this time, in his sigh, there was no sense of gloating. It was as if he saw the twilight of an era. The red burning clouds in the sky were about to break. There was a slight sense of regret and melancholy.
It was not because the Su family was not good, but because the Wu Family was too powerful. Xue Yan looked at Ning Yi who was sitting there. In the past month, this scholar probably played the least role. He felt like a sheep standing in a pack of wolves. In fact, he did not have much room to resist. In the past, he also thought that things were ridiculous. But at this time, his back was obviously very lonely. He still could not do anything, and did not do anything. But at this time, he seemed a little pitiful.
Finally, at a certain moment, He Fang's voice sounded, pushing everything to the end …
*****
All the wiring had been completed. Finally, they could start to ask for monthly votes, recommendations, and everything else that could be asked for. It was the end of the month. Those who have monthly votes, please vote for me. I also want recommendation votes ^ _ ^
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